The aim of the present publication is to provide a broad context into which to fit current
thinking about ‘How Children Choose’ in relation to their experience of design. It is
based partly on observations and enquiries at the DESIGN WORKS exhibition but
more centrally on a review of up-to-date research into the nature of child development
and the emergence of intelligence. To that we have added the results of research by
post-graduate students (largely experienced early years and primary school teachers)
and a growing body of papers presented each year at the IDATER Conference at
Loughborough University.